Latest Update: Contract 4-3 Thai-Chinese High-Speed Rail to Install Track Beams Over Ayutthaya Bypass Bridge
nanny official
August 6, 2024
Under Contract 4-3, temporary road closures will be implemented on the section of the bridge over the railway on Highway 356 (Ayutthaya Bypass) to install concrete components for the high-speed rail elevated bridge structure. The public using this route is advised to temporarily use Highway 2053 (Ayothaya Road) instead, starting from August 13, 2024, at 10:00 AM until August 27, 2024. Please avoid this route during this period. We apologize for any inconvenience caused.
High-Speed Rail Project Connecting Three Airports Adjusts Timeline by 5 Years, Aiming to Conclude Contract Amendments by September
Bangkok Business, August 6, 2024, 9:28 AM
The Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) has reported progress on the "High-Speed Rail Linking Three Airports" project, which is still under contract amendment negotiations. The amendments include adding conditions for private sector guarantees, expected to be finalized and presented to the EEC Policy Committee by September. The goal is to commence construction as planned in 2024, with the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) ready to hand over the land, setting a deadline for the private sector to provide a 100 billion baht bank guarantee within 270 days.
The high-speed rail project connecting Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi, and U-Tapao airports is a flagship project of the EEC. The joint investment agreement was signed on October 24, 2019, between the SRT and Asia Era One Co., Ltd., with CP Group as the major shareholder.
The project was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which reduced the number of passengers on the Airport Rail Link, a part of the project. Consequently, the private sector requested compensation, and the Cabinet approved the contract amendment on October 19, 2021.
Negotiations for the contract amendment have been ongoing for nearly three years, during which the private sector has been managing the Airport Rail Link since 2021, following the government's agreement to amend the contract.
Mr. Chula Sukmanop, Secretary-General of the EEC Policy Committee, revealed that the amendment negotiations are ongoing due to changes in the contract details, particularly regarding financial guarantees. The private sector has requested the government to expedite civil engineering payments.
Currently, the contract wording is being revised, and it is expected to be completed and presented to the EEC Policy Committee, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Mr. Phumtham Wechayachai, by mid-September 2024.
Once approved by the EEC Policy Committee, the revised contract will be sent to the Office of the Attorney General for review. Upon completion, it will be presented to the Cabinet for approval. If approved, the contract with the private sector will be signed within 2024.
The high-speed rail project linking three airports, along with the U-Tapao Airport and Eastern Aviation City development, is considered essential infrastructure. The project must progress simultaneously to maximize benefits.
The U-Tapao Airport and Eastern Aviation City development project has advanced, with the Royal Thai Navy inviting bids for the construction of the second runway and taxiways, expected to open technical bids on August 9, 2024.
The construction of the second runway and taxiways at U-Tapao International Airport has a project budget of 15.2 billion baht. The Royal Thai Navy invited bids in late 2023, and over 30 private entities purchased the bidding documents. The proposals were submitted on May 20, 2024, with five entities passing the initial selection to enter the technical bid evaluation stage.
According to the SRT, the high-speed rail project linking three airports has progressed after the SRT board acknowledged the need to address issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia-Ukraine war, and financial system crises, prompting negotiations with Asia Era One Co., Ltd. to find ways to continue the project.
On May 22, 2024, the private sector received a third extension from the Board of Investment (BOI). If no solution is found, it will affect the project. Discussions with CP Group resulted in an agreement to divide the Airport Rail Link management fee into seven installments, totaling 10.64 billion baht, starting with the first installment in 2024.
The private sector could not secure loans due to the pandemic, the war, and interest rates, prompting the government to expedite investment payments of 119 billion baht, initially scheduled for the 18th installment, to be paid earlier after the Notice to Proceed (NTP) is issued.
To mitigate risks and ensure continued project construction, the private sector must provide financial guarantees or bank guarantees of about 100 billion baht, to be gradually refunded upon project completion.
The new contract amendment excludes the condition requiring the private sector to obtain a BOI promotion certificate, enabling the SRT to issue the NTP and allow construction to begin.
The SRT expects to complete the contract wording negotiations and present it to the EEC Policy Committee, Cabinet, and Attorney General within this year, allowing the SRT to issue the NTP for construction to begin this year.
After signing the amended contract, the private sector must secure the financial guarantees within 270 days. The SRT is ready to hand over 100% of the land, urging the private sector to start related projects, such as the Thai-Chinese railway structure from Bang Sue to Don Mueang, and addressing issues in the U-Tapao Airport and Eastern Aviation City project under the passenger terminal.
The project is expected to take five years to complete, opening for service in 2029, delayed from the original construction start in 2019 and opening in 2024.
Take a look at the latest progress in the area around Nakhon Ratchasima Station, Contract 3-5 of the Thai-Chinese High-Speed Rail. This is how it looks now.
nanny official
Aug 16, 2024
Nakhon Ratchasima Station is located in Contract 3-5, Khok Kruat - Nakhon Ratchasima section, which is the final contract of the Northeastern High-Speed Rail project. The station building has 3 floors:
- 1st floor: Entrance/Exit and passenger waiting area
- 2nd floor: Ticket sales and long-distance train platform
- 3rd floor: High-speed train platform
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